It’s that Spooky Time of Year Again. Check out Our List of Bainbridge Halloween Activities for Kids of All Ages!

As many islanders know, we love our holidays on Bainbridge, and celebrating Fall and Halloween is no different. There’s a lot going on throughout the month of October, and here at The Island Wanderer, we’ve done our best to compile a partial list of what’s happening!

All month – PUMPKIN WALK at Bainbridge Gardens – Pumpkin Walk 2023 is an all-month, fun, festive, free, family-oriented event hosted by Bainbridge Gardens. People of all ages come to walk along Bainbridge Gardens’ historic Nature Trail, to view hundreds of hand-designed pumpkins. Mon-Sat: 9am-5:30pm, Sun: 10am-4pm – Free Admission

All month – Bainbridge Island/Suyematsu PUMPKIN PATCH 2023 located on the Day Road Farm at 9229 Day Road E.  They have a huge variety of carving pumpkins and winter squash, and their patch is filled with everything you need for your fall decorating and baking.  They have beautiful fresh fall wreaths, ornamental corn, corn stalks; unique and unusual pumpkins and gourds; autumn bouquets, fresh local produce, U-cut dahlias…and more! This year, they are bringing back their popular Kiddy Hay Maze and tractor rides around the pumpkin patch. Pumpkin Patch Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 5pm / Monday thru Friday: 1pm to 6pm / School tours for kids of all ages available! Contact our Farm Coordinator, Bethany, at 206-802-4066 for more details or to schedule!

All month – Winney Farm U-PICK PUMPKIN PATCH – 5145 McDonald Avenue NE –While you’re there, stop by the farm store for fresh meat (pork, beef, poultry and more!) as well as fresh eggs, veg and baked goods. Order online here, and pick-up after your pumpkin hunt! Don’t forget to order your holiday turkey from Winney Farm, order online here.

Oct 1 – Oc. 31 – ANNUAL SQUASH HUNT at Bloedel Reserve and SPOOKY PLANTS WALK – Explore the grounds with your map in search of these home-grown decorative delicacies! Pause at the Residence to snap a photo of yourselves with our largest pumpkin and guess its weight.

As you search for squash along your walk, venture into the mysterious world of carnivorous plants: discover the prickly secrets of armored flora, hold your nose as you encounter the eeriest, “stinkiest” plants around, and uncover the enchanting wonders of plants pollinated by nocturnal beetles and moths. It’s a hauntingly fun experience that will leave you entranced by the wonders of the plant kingdom. Win prizes at the Shop at the Gatehouse when you complete the all-ages scavenger hunt.

Timed tickets are required, and the event is included with cost of admission to the Reserve. Learn more about the history of our annual squash hunt here.

Through Nov. 17, 2024 –  Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) present DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS and Beyond – BIMA invites the public for Day of the Dead festivities, and a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s expanded exhibition combines traditional Día de los Muertos themes and a participatory ofrenda (altar), with broader contemporary art from Puget Sound-area Hispanic and Latine artists. Mesa and Lovelace Galleries.

Oct 26, 2024 – IT WAS A DARK & STORMY NIGHT presented by Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (Barn) – Get into the Halloween spirit with chilling stories because the ghouls are back in town – in person! After darkness falls, these wonderful local authors will emerge in BARN’s Great Room to read their chilling stories as you treat yourself to yummy treats, wine, and dark ‘n’ stormy cocktails. You can even come in costume — if you dare. The scary event will take place from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

This year, the authors will be Carol Cassella, Christine Day, Rachel Noll James, Jennifer Longo, Luciano Marano, Rafe Posey, and Warren Read. Get Tickets Here 

Oct 27, 2024 from 2pm – 6pm – Islandwood – HOWL-O-WEEN! It’s baaaaack…Enjoy our trails and get some mileage out of your Halloween costume at the same time! This family-friendly event will feature warm cookies, hot cider, and seasonal treats for you, a visit to the garden to learn the science of science of squash, storytelling next to a roaring bonfire at the Friendship Circle, a fall craft in the art studio, and a boneyard investigation with Dr. McDiggins! A naturalist will be delivering a lecture about wildlife in the Great Hall. Naturalists will be on the trails to visit with you and share some spooky scientific facts about nocturnal wildlife. We can’t wait to see you all dressed up. *Costumes encouraged but not required. Please remember that this is a family-friendly event if you are an adult in costume. For tickets, visit: 18th Annual HOWL-o-ween at IslandWood Tickets, Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite  If cost is a barrier to you or your family, please contact Christina Woolf at christinaw@islandwood.org for financial assistance.

If all of that wasn’t enough – HOMETOWN HALLOWEEN IN WINSLOW IS BACK! Presented by Bainbridge Island Downtown Association at Winslow Way – Trick or Treating along Winslow Way on Oct 31, 2024 from 4-6 pm

Downtown merchants welcome all ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks, Elevens and Dustins to ramble Winslow Way in search of tasty treats, spooky tunes and thrilling mobs!  Complimentary hot apple cider will be sponsored by Town & Country as well as chili and hot dogs at Eagle Harbor Church for a UNICEF donation.  Don’t forget to look for your favorite teacher scooping at Island Cool.  DJ Sidecar (sponsored by Cook Family Funeral Home) will be spinning tunes near Winslow Mall.  Winslow Way between Ericksen and Madison will be closed to through traffic from 3:00 to 7:00 pm.  BOO!

For more events throughout the month, visit BIDA’s event page at Events – Bainbridge Island Downtown Association (bainbridgedowntown.org)

Source Materials: Courtesy of Bainbridge Gardens, Suyematsu Farm, Winney Farm, Bloedel Reserve, BIMA, the Barn, Islandwood, and the Downtown Assoc.  Portions of this story were contributed by former TIW Publisher Margaret Millmore. 

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